Guitar Setup

The section of the Technical Pages provides information regarding the setup of 6 and 12 string guitars. This information was submitted to the alt.guitar.rickenbacker newsgroup and is considered to be in the public domain. Should you find that the following comments credited to you are inaccurate or should you wish to have them removed, please email the Registration Page.

I like the relief at around .008-.010" on my 360/6 and .010-012" on the 360/12. That's measured the 'Fender way' with a capo on the 1st fret, the strings held down at the 20th fret and the relief measured at the 8th fret with a flat automotive feeler gauge. String height on the High and Low E strings on both guitars is a hair over 1/16" at the 12th fret(no capo), and pickup height with the high- gains on the 12 is: Bridge PUP - 3/32" low E & 5/64" high E; Neck PUP - just a hair over the bridge pup settings. The toasters on my '66 Ric 360/12 are a little closer ~ 1/16" high E and 5/64ths low E. The 360/6 has Ric mini buckers - I don't have it at home to measure, but I think it's set to ~ 3/32" all around. All measurements made with a General Tool 6" stainless steel machinists ruler. Also - PU height measurements are with the strings held down at the last fret. The heights are with the strings pressed down on the 24th fret

Lower the action until the G and D strings start to buzz against the frets (usually the last fret or frets), then raise the bridge on both sides, 1/4 turn on all 4 adjustment screws at a time until the buzz stops/doesn't occur with a normal force stroke or lighter stroke but will have some fret slap if played/hit harder than normal. Before you do what I just said adjust the neck truss rods with the strings at full pitch so that the neck is close to dead straight as is reasonable meaning an underbow of maybe a business card thickness or a little less at the 5th, 6th, 7th fret --when strings are pressed down/fretted on the first and last fret. This will give you optimal easy action/playability with a wide range of sounds possible from clean/clear (normal or lighter force stroke/picking) to dirty (hard or harder force stroke/picking) and make life playing the 12 as easy as it can be. The rest is practice, practice, practice 10 -30 min. a day whether you want to or not if no pain in hand occurs -- if sore left hand rest it a day or two until OK again then continue --- If any real pain pain or serious fatigue occurs stop and consult an MD or chiropractor about same and determine what is safe for you to do to avoid any damage to hand. If no problems occur keep up practicing until you have the strength to play the 12 string 1/2 hr. a day easily and comfortably. You will now start to get good at it and it will become as easy as a 6 to play and good for a lot more music than you think a 12 would be good for and you will be a lot better and stronger 6 string player and on heavier gauge better sounding strings as well---no 6 is a problem if you master the 12!! Sure beats a grip master!!! lol